URA Rejects Proposed Tariffs from Connect St Helena
At the end of August, Connect St Helena released proposed electricity and water tariffs introducing increases to water charges and introducing a standing charge for electricity.
Members of the public were encouraged to send comments on the proposed tariffs to The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) by Friday, 15 September.
During this consultation period, a few Legislative Councillors issued a petition against the increase to tariffs proposed by Connect, specifically for electricity. On Tuesday, during a monthly update with Councillors on SAMS Radio One, it was said that over 1,000 people had signed the petition.
Councilor Andrew Turner also confirmed that 1,026 people had signed the petition.
On Wednesday morning, five days after the closing date for comments to URA, the Authority released a Press Release which states:
“The Utilities Regulatory Authority met on the 18th of September 2023 to consider the tariff proposals put forward by Connect which were to have effect from the 1st of October 2023. The URA has decided to reject the proposals for the time being and has required further information and alternative proposals from Connect Saint Helena.”
Council Andrew Turner, one of the organisers of the petition, told SAMS: “I believe it’s a positive move that the Utilities Regulator has, for now, declined Connect St Helena’s proposals. I hope that this decision will encourage Connect to re-evaluate their operations and find ways to adapt to the needs of their customers.”